New pool is top priority on P&R survey

Anonymous donor gives $10k.

WAITSBURG –A movement is growing in Waitsburg to see a municipal pool return to town. Waitsburg Parks and Recreation received responses from 110 community members to its survey asking the community to weigh in on potential programs for the city. Results showed respondents overwhelmingly prioritized a new swimming pool for the community. Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District (P&R) and Rural Youth Enrichment Services (RYES) are set to take action.

Results from the P&R survey were collected from May to June 2022 and show three clear priorities. Respondents were asked to rank nine priorities ranging from building and improving infrastructure to creating activities and hosting music events.

45% of respondents said building a new indoor pool is their top priority.

24% of respondents said increasing fairgrounds use through improvements and events is their top priority.

19% said developing after-school activities and programs is the top priority.

“We asked, and you answered,” said Leroy Cunningham, Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District Commissioner. “Through the survey, the commissioners were hoping the community would guide our decision-making in the coming months, and the response was clear. Our community wants a swimming pool. At the same time, an anonymous donor stepped forward to give $10,000 to build a new pool. We are working to take the community input and move forward.”

Waitsburg’s city pool has been closed since 2020 due to extensive structural issues, according to the city website.

Earlier this year, the City of Waitsburg commissioned a structural study on the existing pool, determining that it is irreparable.

In March 2022, an architect’s assessment of the closed pool, commissioned by the city, reported that the pool had a significant leaking issue and a broken intake line.

The report said any existing original piping and fittings were past intended life and should be considered potential sources for leaking. The concrete showed significant cracking, spall damage, and plant growth, indicating leaking throughout the pool body.

According to the report, the significant plumbing leaks require the removal of concrete to access. The city assumes that in doing so, some FEMA protections would be lost and open the facility to new scrutiny, including permitting and inspections from FEMA and expensive explorative steps to make the pool safe again.

“We got 97 years out of our swimming pool, and research shows fixing or replacing it is not on the table,” Cunningham said. “We are proud of the work done to keep it in service and are also ready to imagine what a new regional aquatic facility at a fresh location could offer our community. We only have to imagine the possibilities, do our research and planning, and then fervently collaborate with others to build a regional aquatic center here in Waitsburg”.

On July 7, RYES Secretary Kate Hockersmith held a meeting to answer questions, encourage others to volunteer, and look at fundraising options to support Waitsburg Parks and Recreation’s goal to bring back a municipal pool.

A program under RYES, The Friends of the Pool, raised money to help pay for lifeguard training and purchase pool toys for the existing city pool before it closed. RYES is now working with P&R as a non-profit organization to accept tax-deductible donations and provide financial services to raise funds for the new pool project.

Waitsburg's Parks and Recreation is beginning its fundraising this summer with efforts to raise $10,000 before school starts this fall. This effort is to match a generous donation made anonymously earlier this year.

Donation checks should be made to Rural Youth Enrichment Services and mailed to PO Box 371, Waitsburg, WA 99361. Be sure to write ‘Our New Pool’ on the “memo” line on the check. Donations specified for the pool can be deposited directly into the RYES account at Banner Bank.

For more information, please attend P&R regular meetings held on the first and third Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at Ten Ton Coffee, 216 Main St., Waitsburg. Parks and Recreation Commissioners encourage community members to email waitsburgpr@protonmail.com to ask questions, make comments, or, better yet, volunteer.

To review the complete Parks and Recreation survey, go to https://tinyurl.com/2p9f7w4s